Free daycare with feeding, physical activities can improve learning —EDCOM II
Free daycare integrated with nutrition intervention and creative physical activities could help address the country's learning crisis, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) said.
In its Year Two report “Fixing the Foundations: A Matter of National Survival,” the EDCOM II cited Taguig City’s Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) programs as among the successful efforts by local government units in transforming early childhood care and development.
The programs include a free daycare with learning materials and supplementary feeding, which is a 120-Day Dietary Supplementation Program for children aged one to five, as well as Overweight and Obesity Management activities.
The report also cited the Taguig Learner’s Certificate (TLC), a unique voucher system that grants educational allowance and tuition subsidy to public elementary graduates wishing to attend partner private high schools.
"The City’s comprehensive approach showcases how local governments can effectively integrate education, nutrition, and physical activity to strengthen ECCD initiatives," the Taguig government said in a statement.
The EDCOM II also cited various local government units' initiatives as having "demonstrated remarkable success" in relation to early childhood care and development, including Muntinlupa City's Early Childhood Education Division which operates with its own Annual Investment Plan.
The Naga Early Education and Development Program meanwhile transforms traditional day care services into quality early education centers; while Barangay Taloot’s “Kapurok Ko, Karamay Ko” program in Argao, Cebu also pursues its effective community-driven initiatives.
In its report, the EDCOM II said that early childhood care and development remains
unattended, receiving the lowest attention and support, despite its critical role in improving student achievement and reducing dropout rates.
Further, only 25 percent of Filipino children meet the recommended energy intake between
ages six to 12 months, with particularly low rates among those from impoverished
households.
The EDCOM II is the congressional body created through Republic Act 11899, mandated to undertake a comprehensive national assessment and evaluation of the performance of the Philippine education sector from 2023 to 2025. — BM, GMA Integrated News